MEUDON, France — March 16, 2026 : French defense technology company Thales Group has been selected by Swiss aircraft manufacturer Pilatus Aircraft Ltd to supply an advanced radio management system for a fleet of Pilatus PC-7 trainer aircraft operating in Europe. The selection, announced on March 15, 2026, aims to modernize communications capabilities across the turboprop training fleet and support evolving operational requirements for military pilot training.
According to Thales, the new radio management system is designed to enhance mission performance and operational reliability for training aircraft used by European armed forces. The system will provide resilient and flexible communication capabilities, enabling student pilots and instructors to maintain secure and uninterrupted contact during increasingly complex training missions.
Communications Upgrade for Training Aircraft
The radio management system is engineered to meet modern military communications standards and to integrate with existing avionics and mission systems installed on the PC-7 fleet. The platform supports advanced cockpit connectivity and is intended to ensure continuous communications in demanding operational environments.
Key features of the system include full compliance with military standards, allowing integration with complex operational networks and mission architectures used by armed forces. The hardware is designed for mission-critical reliability, ensuring stable communications even in high-stress or degraded conditions. The system’s architecture also provides flexibility for different operational scenarios, ranging from basic pilot instruction to advanced tactical training.
Pilatus selected the Thales solution based on its ability to meet military end-user requirements while offering improved reliability and adaptability compared with conventional communication technologies.
Industry Collaboration and System Development
Engineering teams from Pilatus and Thales collaborated closely to develop a radio management system tailored specifically for the PC-7 training programme. The joint development effort focused on creating an efficient interface that reduces pilot workload while maintaining high communication clarity during flight operations.
“Pilatus Aircraft Ltd’s and Thales’s engineering teams worked very closely together to develop the radio management system most suited to this programme,” said Nicolas Bonleux, Vice-President of Aerospace Communications at Thales. “Together, we have come up with a system offering a high level of efficiency, which will enable these aircraft to carry out extremely demanding missions.”
The contract further strengthens the existing partnership between Pilatus and Thales in the field of military aviation technology and training aircraft modernization.
Expansion of Thales Communications Portfolio
The programme also reflects the continued integration of Cobham Aerospace Communications into the Thales avionics portfolio following Thales’ acquisition of the company in April 2024. The integration expanded Thales’ capabilities in cockpit connectivity, audio-radio systems, and secure communications technologies used in military aircraft.
Thales designs and manufactures audio-radio communication systems compliant with NATO standards and used across a range of military platforms. These systems are intended to provide secure voice communications and reliable connectivity in defence applications.
Role of the PC-7 Fleet in European Training
The Pilatus PC-7 remains widely used for basic military pilot training due to its turboprop configuration, low operating costs, and suitability for initial flight instruction. Several European countries operate the aircraft, including the Netherlands, Austria, and Switzerland.
Recent procurement decisions have also expanded the programme with orders for the updated Pilatus PC-7 MKX variant. European commitments include eight aircraft for the Netherlands, twenty-three for France, and eighteen for Belgium, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2027.
While the specific operator associated with the current radio management system contract was not disclosed, the upgrade ensures that existing PC-7 training fleets remain compatible with modern digital airspace requirements and evolving military communication standards.
The integration of the Thales radio management system is expected to support future training operations by providing enhanced communication resilience and adaptability across a range of mission profiles used by European air forces.
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